Gtlman p



(No Model.)

CT. P; WOODWORTH.

CARPET STRETGHER.

No. 362,863. Patente-d May l0, 1887.

ullll. Il.

N. PETERS. Phowumngnpmr, wasmngwn. u. c.

GILMAN I. VOODIVOR'IH, OF COLFAX, IOQVA.

CARPET-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 362,863, dated May 10, 1887.

(No model.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, G iran-ir: P Woonwonrn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Colfax, in the county of Jasper and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Carpet Stretchers, of which the following is so full, clear, and exact a description as will enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my irnproved carpet-stretcher. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is also a top plan View, showing a slight change in the construction of the braces in the drawings. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional/view of a modification of the invention.

rIhe head A, having the teeth c, is provided with the mortise a', into which lits the portion b of the handle. rlhis handle b is provided with two perforations, b b', into which fit the braces c. Fach brace c is provided with hooks at each end, one of which engages with the handle, while the other engages with the perforation c in the head A. The handle, which is made in two sections, b and d, is provided with perforations which extend through both sections of the handle. Section d of the handle is provided with a crosspiece, D, at its outer .free end. The piece b may bc provided with notches d', andthe other section, d, may be provided with a bolt, c, which has two enlarged heads, c c', as shown in Fig. 4. In this construction it will not be necessary to remove the pin c to adjust the carpetstretcher to different lengths, but thc bolt may be lifted in and out of the notches d without removing the pin. The heads e c will serve to hold the side pieces, d'l d2, of the section b snugly up against that portion of the handle d which is K held between the bifurcatcd ends dAZ d2 of the section b.

In Fig. 3 I show the braces c c as provided with loops. vc2 c`2 are in turn each provided with a link or hook, c, which is adapted to hold them together. In this instance the hooks c* cL on the lower free end ofthe braces c c will bend in toward the center of the head A, and the hook cs prevents the braces c @from being moved outward and becoming :disengaged with the head, as would be the case it they were not fastened together. In some instances it is found desirable to hold the braces in place, and this link 8, when employed in connection with the inwardly-proj ecting hooks c* c", admirably effects this purpose. Y

While l do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact construction shown, I desire to say that the forms hereinabove reA ferred to are the best and most practical forms of constructing my device.

'Ihc operation of my device is as follows: NVhen it is desired to stretch a carpet, place the carpet-stretcher across the room and place the cross-piece D upon one edge of the carpet, which edge has been nailed down to the floor at that side of the room. Then adjust the carpet-stretcher to the approximate width or length of the room, and raise the center portion and secure pivotally together, by use of a crosspin, and press the center down until the carpet is stretched across the room, as it will be by the engagement of the hooks a c with the carpet as the head A is forced away from the cross-piece D. The carpet is then tacked. in the desired position, and the process repeated. lVhen the process of stretching the carpet and fastening it down is completed, the carpet-stretcher may be readily taken apart, as the braces c slip loosely into the perforation in the head, and are pivotally secured to the handle at b, while the lower end of the section b of the handle slips loosely into the mortise in the head, and is onlyheld by frictional contact and by the braces c. IVhen the braces c are removed, the handle readily slips ont of the head A.

I am aware that it is old to construct a carpet-stretcher with a ratchet and pawl and a lever pivoted to the head of the stretcher, said head being pivotally secured to the stretcher in such a manner that it may be turned on its pivotal point, and I therefore disclaim such construction, as in my device the head is not pivoted.

Having now described my invention, what I wish to secure by Letters Patent, and what I therefore claim, is-

1. In a carpet-stretcher, the handle made in sections and provided wit-h means for securing thc sections pivot-all y together in any de- IOO sired adjusted position, in combination with the head, the pivotal braces, and the link for securing the braces in position when in engagement with the handle and the head, substant'ially as described.

2. ln a carpet-stretcher of the character described, a bil'urcated main portion, a handle having a removablerhead secured thereto and a secondary separate portion which is adapted t0 fit between the bifurcated main portion, and means for pivotally-securing the two together in any desired adjusted position, in combina` tion with the braces c 0, pivoted to the handle and fitting loosely within the :removable head, which is provided with the hooks for engage- I5 ment with the carpet, substantially' as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GILM AN P. WOODWORTH.

Witnesses:

J. M'. STAYNER, SIDNEY WrLLrAMs. 

